Big Pine Lakes - Aug. 3-4, 2024
This was my second trip here this summer, the first being in late June with my friend Holly. The lakes were not as concentrated with glacial silt back then and I messed up a photo of the Milky Way I had really wanted to get, so I planned a second more last-minute trip for the first weekend of August when I knew the moon would set well before the stars came out.
I met up with my friend Ngan (plus her dog Noodle) and her cousin Dee in Mammoth Friday night before venturing to the trailhead at the early hour of 5am. I had really wanted to camp in a particular campsite and given that it was a Saturday during prime summer conditions, we decided an early start would give us the best shot at it. I learned at the trailhead that it was not only Dee’s first time ever backpacking but also her first time at the high elevations of the Sierra. Thankfully, the Big Pine Creek trailhead is one of the lower ones in the Sierra.
Ngan and Noodle at Second Lake.
After about a mile on the trail, we decided to separate since Dee was moving a bit slower and I wanted to run up and claim a campsite for us. We packed separate gear and had inReaches for communication in any case, which made splitting up like this easy. I made it to the nice campsite at Second Lake by 9am and found it empty! I quickly set up my tent and reached out to Ngan to let her know where I was. I think an hour had passed after which I was surprised to find they were still a couple of hours from camp since Dee was struggling quite a bit with her pack and the elevation.
We decided I would empty my pack, meet them where they were, and trade packs with Dee to make things easier for her. I also brought her some Diamox and Dramamine which I usually have in my first aid kit for situations like this. We collectively made it to camp around 11am and took a huge nap before day hiking up the Third Lake.
Noodle looking majestic at Third Lake.
Every time I’m on a popular trail in the Sierra, it strikes me how the vast majority of hikers out here are pretty respectful and friendly. I’ve had some bad experiences in other locations (i.e. the Cascades in Washington) where crowded, popular trails are synonymous with really rude and disrespectful hikers. Definitely not the case out here for the most part. I set up my tripod for Milky Way photos that night and struck up some conversation with our neighbors for the night who were interested in what I was doing and wanted to purchase some prints.
The Milky Way over Second Lake.
We hiked out the next day in scorching temperatures and were back in the Bay by evening. I’m pretty happy with the way my astrophotography turned out this time, too.
—Justin
